Arcteryx Venta SV Review

Likes
The Arcteryx Venta SV represents the ultimate in performance, versatility, and styling. The jacket is artfully crafted with an attention to detail that makes other softshells look infantile and sloppy. It is made of three distinct types of Gore Windstopper that maximize warmth, breathability, and weather protection. The inside is lined with two different weights of micro grid fleece that are warm, breathable, and highly packable. The combination of different materials provides the water resistance and warmth needed for skiing and the breathability and features required for ice and alpine climbing. This is the most versatile softshell we’ve tested.

The Venta SV is equipped with the best and most elegant features of any softshell we’ve reviewed. Two elevated hand pockets lie above a backpack’s hip belt, large pit zips provide instantaneous ventilation, an interior zippered pocket stores a key or ID, and the hood is the only one (out of 16) that was comfortable and non-restrictive when worn over a helmet. In general, we find pit zips to be difficult to open and close with one hand. This is not the case with the Venta SV, which has the best functioning (they move fast and smoothly) and best looking zippers of any softshell we’ve reviewed. The color we tested, Big Sky, has blue zippers with complimentary colored (orange) pull-tabs that are easy to see and are attractive. The Venta SV is also unique in that is has a drop hood (a two-inch collar keeps your neck warm when the hood is not up and is unnoticeable when it is). The hood is also titanic in size and is very comfortable when wearing a helmet (you can move your head in all directions without being pinched, pulled, or restricted). This is a huge benefit for ice and alpine climbers who spend many hours (or days) with a hood up.

The Venta SV is arguably the best looking softshell on the market. (An independent panel of seven judges rated all 16 softshells on their appearance.) Unlike others (Mountain Hardwear Dragon and Alchemy, for example), the Venta SV has a simple and refined style with clean lines. It looks good when it’s snowing, when it’s blowing 60 mph, or when you’re walking downtown. Some people spend thousands of dollars on things that look good but serve no practical purpose. This jacket crushes most of the competition in both performance and aesthetics.


Dislikes
Our only complaint is that the hood pull cords can’t be adjusted with one hand. Arcteryx could improve their design by looking to the Mountain Hardwear Keppler, which adjusts with one hand and hides the cincher in the collar. Not being able to adjust the hood with one hand is a nuisance because you have to stop moving, take both gloves off, adjust, and then re-glove.

The Venta SV is a very warm and weatherproof softshell. It’s too warm for highly aerobic activities or adventures on warmer days.

Best Application
Alpine skiing, ice and alpine climbing on very cold days.

Value
It’s the best, but very expensive.

Other Versions
The Arcteryx Venta MX Hoody is the colder weather version of the Venta SV. The Women's version is the Arcteryx Venta SV - Women's. The Arcteryx Venta AR ($300) has no hood, pit zips or velcro cuffs.